University Hospital and Clinics (UHC), which sees more than 40,000 patients a year, is set to expand its emergency room by 4,000 square feet this summer, more than tripling its size.

The emergency room is currently 1,800 square feet and has 10 curtain bays for patients, and the expansion will turn those 10 curtain bays into 20 private rooms.

Daryle Cetnar, Communications Director for Lafayette General Health says the state will pay for the remodeling and renovations while Lafayette General will pay for the equipment and furnishings. “That allows Lafayette General and University Hospital and clinics to buy new equipment and supplies to stock the new emergency room, making it much better for patients. They’ll have private rooms and they’ll have updated equipment.”

Cetnar says they will also add two new entrances one for walk-ins and one for ambulance traffic. He says the state is running the entire scope of the project, which is currently out for bid until April 16th.